Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-05-21
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <[email protected]>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1191), May 21, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
CONTENTS
[01] Tsohatzopoulos says confronting Turkish threats a crucial
priority
[02] Netanyahu: Turkish-Israeli military co-operation shouldn't alarm
Athens
[03] Defense minister condemns Turkish invasion of northern Iraq
[04] Tsohatzopoulos says fortifying national defense a priority
[05] Greece to send Dutch EU presidency memo on Greek-Turkish
differences
[06] Greece comments on new NATO structures
[07] Simitis, Tsohatzopoulos confer on defense policy issues
[08] Athens concerned with military contingent's status in case of
electoral impasse
[09] Gov't spokesman
[10] Greek policeman accidentally kills himself in Gjirokaster
consulate
[11] Pangalos sends condolences
[12] G. Papandreou calls for special EU support of Union's island
regions
[13] WEU, shipping
[14] Tsohatzopoulos visit to Yugoslavia
[15] Serbian PM meets with Greek ambassador to Belgrade
[16] Karamanlis to travel to Sofia
[17] Romanian president to visit Greece this week
[18] Gov't lauds calm holding of joint concert in Nicosia
[19] Proportional representation system rejected by PASOK, ND
[20] Balkan chambers meet in Athens to focus on further co-operation
[21] Summer store hours announced
[22] Inflation below 5.0 percent by end-1997, Papantoniou says
[23] DEKOs
[24] Cleanest waters found in Greece, Commission report states
[25] Mykonos launches new runway
[26] New credits for infrastructure projects
[27] Mitsotakis-Iacovos meeting
[28] Karamanlis meets with Serapheim
[29] Int'l sports media events in Olympia
[01] Tsohatzopoulos says confronting Turkish threats a crucial
priority
Athens, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday said
that confronting the Turkish threat was a crucial national
priority for Greece.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that Ankara has recently shown a more
"aggressive orientation" against Greece, adding that this
orientation included "territorial claims."
Greece, however, "has a stabilizing role in the region contrary
to Turkey, the role of which is destabilizing and perilous," he
said.
He said the sea delineation between Greece and Turkey was
clearly defined in the treaties of Lausanne and Paris.
Regarding Greece's sovereign rights to extend its territorial
sea waters to 12 nautical miles, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said: "It is
Greece's inalienable right. It is a matter of tactics, timing
and circumstances to make such a decision."
Referring to recent press speculation about the rumored creation
of air corridors in Greek airspace over the Aegean in order to
facilitate Turkish military training flights, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos
reiterated that Greece is in a position to secure corridors for
safe passage on the sea, under the sea and in the air, but with
a simultaneous extension of territorial waters to 12 nautical
miles.
Regarding the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR), he said
the same rules apply for the aircraft of all countries, and
there will be no special exceptions.
Responding to a question on confidence-building measures in the
Aegean, he said there has been no relevant negotiations with
Turkey, and there is no need for additional measures to those
envisaged under the 1988 Papoulias-Yilmaz agreement.
He also referred to the Greek proposal for extending the
moratorium of flights over the Aegean from two to three summer
months, stressing that it was a goodwill move on the part of
Greece.
The defense minister also reiterated that for Greece there is no
issue regarding the sovereignty of uninhabited islets in the
Aegean, as there is clear mention of them in the 1923 Lausanne
Treaty, and that any disputing of their status should be
referred to the International Court at The Hague.
Regarding the agreement for military co-operation between Turkey
and Israel, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said it was every country's
inalienable right to select alliances and co-operation, but what
was of interest to Greece was whether these promoted peace and
security, or held the prospect of undermining them. He added
that the peace process in the Middle East should not be
undermined.
He described the Cyprus issue as a vital national problem for
Greece, adding that the strengthening of Cyprus in combination
with the prospect of its EU membership constituted two basic
factors for positive developments on the issue.
Regarding the order of Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air
missiles by Cyprus, he said it exclusively concerned the right
of a threatened small country to defend itself. The missiles are
intended to protect the new airport at Paphos, which is expected
to be ready at the beginning of 1998.
In this context, he added, there will be military exchanges
between Greece and Cyprus, which is perfectly acceptable by two
sovereign member-states of the United Nations.
[02] Netanyahu: Turkish-Israeli military co-operation shouldn't alarm
Athens
Jerusalem, 21/5/1997 (ANA/S. Sideris)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured Foreign
Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday that military co-operation
between Israel and Turkey should in no way alarm Greece.
The meeting concluded Mr. Pangalos' visit to Israel.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Pangalos said an overall issue
exists with the exercises between Israel and Turkey and Greece
and Israel.
"If Turkey accepts the proposal for a four-month moratorium then
there will be no exercises in the Aegean," Mr. Pangalos said.
Referring in particular to the military exercise between Greece
and Israel, Mr. Pangalos said on the one hand there is an issue
concerning the date it will be conducted and on the other it is
exclusively a sea-rescue exercise.
Moreover, Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy assured Mr.
Pangalos that his country is not doing anything behind the back
of Greece, referring to military co-operation between Israel and
Turkey.
In a statement immediately after his meeting with Mr. Pangalos,
Mr. Levy said relations between Israel and Greece are very good
and that the agreement his country has signed with Turkey is not
directed against other countries.
On his part, Mr. Pangalos said he "took note" of what his
Israeli counterpart said.
On the question of the peace process in the Middle East, Mr.
Pangalos confirmed the deadlock created and said that during his
meeting with Mr. Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister strongly
supported his positions.
Mr. Pangalos said the European Union must assume its
responsibilities on this issue and must have a more active
participation in the peace process. He added that Greece will
raise the issue at the next Council of EU Foreign Ministers and
will brief his counterparts on his contacts in Gaza and
Jerusalem. Additionally, Mr. Pangalos said he discussed the
situation in the region with Mr. Levy, the course of the peace
process and bilateral relations between Greece and Israel. The
two ministers decided to establish a Greek-Israeli committee to
probe possibilities of joint investments in the Balkans.
Mr. Pangalos announced that he extended an invitation to the
President of Israel Ezer Weizman to inaugurate a Holocaust
monument to be built in Thessaloniki together with his Greek
counterpart Kostis Stephanopoulos.
Referring to the discussion held on the situation in the region,
Mr. Pangalos said it is necessary to find ways to peacefully
resolve problems in the southeastern Mediterranean.
After meeting with the Israeli president and before meeting with
that country's prime minister, Mr. Pangalos paid tribute to the
memory of victims of the World War II Holocaust by visiting the
Yad Vashem Memorial and Museum.
Mr. Pangalos received a guided tour of the museum and later
visited the memorial, which commemorates the millions of
children killed during the Holocaust.
"For the most innocent of the innocent and in their memory, let
us bring peace and understanding," Mr. Pangalos wrote in the
visitors' book.
[03] Defense minister condemns Turkish invasion of northern Iraq
Athens, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday
condemned Ankara's cross-border thrust into northern Iraq
against Kurdish guerrillas, saying it was unprecedented for a
country to claim it was solving its domestic problems by
invading another state.
"Turkey must provide explanations about its action," Mr.
Tsohatzopoulos said.
Commenting on the Kurdish problem, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said it
required a political, not a military solution.
"In such cases, whoever opts for a military solution bears full
responsibility for the cost as well as for the condemnation from
international public opinion," he said.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos added that any country aspiring to join the
European Union should respect the principles of international
law.
[04] Tsohatzopoulos says fortifying national defense a priority
Athens, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
Fortifying Greece's defense is a national priority, National
Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said yesterday, adding that
the country's developmental course is compatible with its
defense capabilities.
Replying to questions, he referred to the armed forces'
armaments' program and to efforts to upgrade the Greek military
industry as well as its participation in providing weapon
systems to the armed forces.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos added that the armaments program is in
progress and aims to be completed within the next seven years.
He said that a contract is in the process of being signed for
the purchase of one S-type frigate from the Netherlands, while
procedures for the evaluation of two offers are taking place for
the modernization of the F-4 "Phantom" fleet of warplanes.
Replying to a question, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the future of
Greece's domestic arms industry is bright, as it currently makes
up only 4 per cent of the armed forces' supplies, compared to 30
per cent for Turkey's domestic industry.
Measures are to be announced soon regarding the weapons industry.
[05] Greece to send Dutch EU presidency memo on Greek-Turkish
differences
The Hague, 21/5/1997 (ANA/M. Spinthourakis)
Greece is to send a memorandum outlining its positions on
Greek-Turkish differences to the Dutch European Union presidency
soon, Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou said here
yesterday.
Greece is also expecting a memorandum from Turkey in order to be
able to decide on procedures which must be followed in relation
to the "committees of experts".
On the sidelines of the EU foreign ministers' council for the
Intergovernmental Conference, Mr. Papandreou met yesterday with
members of the Dutch foreign ministry dealing with Greek-Turkish
issues.
Speaking to the press, he said the Dutch EU presidency is aiming
for an interim report on Greek-Turkish differences to be issued
by mid-June, underlining that Greece has no objections, although
he clarified that "everything will depend on the content of the
Turkish memorandum."
[06] Greece comments on new NATO structures
Athens, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
Greece is determined to block procedures for NATO's new
structural reorganization if the same terms and conditions are
not applicable to all member-states, National Defense Minister
Akis Tsohatzopoulos said yesterday.
Elaborating on Greece's positions, the minister spoke of the
regime after the country's return to NATO during the New
Democracy government in the late 1970s.
For 15 years, he said, Greece was a second-class member, as
NATO's old structure allowed Turkey to use a veto on a series of
important issues, such as the founding of the Larisa
headquarters and the installation of a joint rapid defense force
in Thessaloniki.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said NATO's new structure is simpler and has
been adapted to the new state of events.
In a related development, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos held a meeting
yesterday with outgoing NATO Commander-in-Chief for Europe, US
Army Gen. George Julland.
The NATO commander was also received by President of the
Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.
[07] Simitis, Tsohatzopoulos confer on defense policy issues
Athens, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis and National Defense Minister Akis
Tsohatzopoulos had talks yesterday on the new structure of
Greece's armed forces and the country's new national defense
policy.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Tsohatzopoulos said the
Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA) would
meet next month to approve the national defense ministry's
proposal concerning the new structure of the armed forces and
give the green light for the new national defense policy.
Also discussed during the meeting were procedures for advancing
the armed forces' armaments and training programs, both of which
are top priorities for the national defense ministry for the
immediate future.
Replying meanwhile to reporters' questions on statements by US
State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns on proposed
confidence-building measures (CBMs) between Greece and Turkey,
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos reiterated that the Papoulias-Yilmaz
agreement constituted "the realistic basis for clearing up any
outstanding issues in the Aegean regarding (military) flights
and exercises". He was referring to the memorandum agreement
reached in 1988 by the then Greek and Turkish foreign ministers
Karolos Papoulias and Mesut Yilmaz respectively in the Athens
seaside resort of Vouliagmeni.
Mr. Papoulias and Mr. Yilmaz agreed in Vouliagmeni that Greece
and Turkey should promote CBMs based on the principle of
good-neighbourliness.
"Whoever has a problem has only to implement what is provided in
that agreement," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said.
[08] Athens concerned with military contingent's status in case of
electoral impasse
Athens, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
Athens intends to raise the issue of whether its military
contingent should remain in Albania in the event that political
parties of the neighboring country fail to reach agreement on
the electoral law and the terms under which elections scheduled
for next month will be held, National Defense Minister Akis
Tsohatzopoulos said yesterday.
"We went to Albania to support the agreement and not to be used
by one side or the other," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said, replying to
questions at a dinner given in his honor by the Foreign Press
Association.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos criticized Albanian President Sali Berisha
with regard to the new election law passed by the Albanian
parliament last week, saying he had jeopardized "the safe course
towards elections."
Asked whether Greek forces participating in the multinational
protection force in Albania might be sent to the south of the
country near the border with Greece prior to elections, Mr.
Tsohatzopoulos said there was "tremendous pressure for the
opening of the customs posts at Kakavia and Krystallopigi with
the responsibility of the Greek armed forces."
The issue is being discussed, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said, adding
that Greece will help in any way it can, just like the other
countries participating in the multinational force, to safeguard
both the distribution of humanitarian aid in Albania and the
movement of citizens.
"There will be important decisions in this respect in the next
few days," he said.
[09] Gov't spokesman
Athens, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
In a related development, the government announced that it was
the duty of all Albanian political parties to agree on an
electoral system and the conditions under which elections will
be held in June.
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas made the statement when
asked to comment on the electoral law recently passed by only
the majority Democratic Party of President Berisha.
Mr. Reppas said Greece would do what it could to ensure that the
electoral system was acceptable to the entire political spectrum
in neighboring Albania.
"These elections must be democratic and not a parody. The
Albanian people have already paid dearly for the way in which
the Albanian leadership has to date handled matters pertaining
to the democratic functioning of the country," the spokesman
said.
[10] Greek policeman accidentally kills himself in Gjirokaster
consulate
Athens, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
A Greek policeman stationed at the Greek consulate in the
Albanian town of Gjirokaster accidentally shot himself dead in
the consulate building yesterday morning.
Police Lieutenant Nikos Markakis, 33, shot himself in the face
after becoming entangled with his glasses while cleaning his
gun, according to consular staff present on the first floor of
the building where the accident took place.
Markakis's body was taken to a hospital in the Greek town of
Ioannina.
The government later expressed its deep regret over the death of
Markakis.
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas described the police
officer's death as an accident, saying there was no evidence to
confirm reports that Markakis had been shot by a sniper.
Replying to reporters' questions, Mr. Reppas said he did not
know whether Markakis had asked to be transferred, adding that
speculation that Markakis committed suicide was "hazardous".
Citing the officer's colleagues, Mr. Reppas described Markakis
as logical, cool-headed and impeccable in his duties. Commenting
on the pressure put on the Greek consulate to issue visas, Mr.
Reppas said that security measures at the consulate were
satisfactory but when the pressure increased it temporarily shut
down.
[11] Pangalos sends condolences
Athens, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
The news of Markakis's death prompted a message of condolences
from Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, who is currently on a
two-day visit to Israel. "I would like to express my deep
condolences for the death of Police Lieutenant Nikos Markakis,
the head of the security force at our general consulate in
Gjirokaster. The reasons for his death are already the focus of
an administrative inquiry," Mr. Pangalos said.
[12] G. Papandreou calls for special EU support of Union's island
regions
The Hague, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou yesterday called
for special care by the European Union for its island regions,
which face many and varied structural problems impeding their
development.
Mr. Papandreou made the call during a working lunch at the end
of the last foreign ministers' session and before the opening of
the EU summit, scheduled to open at Nordwjiik tomorrow.
"Special measures must be adopted in favor of these areas, and
this can be done even without additional Community funds," he
said.
The Council focused discussion on European Union common foreign
and security policy in the framework of the revision of the
Maastricht Treaty.
[13] WEU, shipping
Athens, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
Speaking to the press later, Mr. Papandreou stressed there had
been relative progress on issues of foreign policy, particularly
regarding strategic decisions, and expressed Greece's
satisfaction over the fact that whenever a member-state invokes
a vital national interest, it is discussed at the Summit
Council, where decisions are reached unanimously.
He also stressed that Greece is in favor of a gradual
incorporation of the Western European Union in the EU,
emphasizing that it would be appropriate to clearly define the
rights and obligations of associate members and WEU partners in
a way that does not violate its institutional autonomy and unity
in the decision-making process.
Finally, the Greek side reiterated that the new treaty must
ensure that the aim of the EU is the safeguarding of its common
values, fundamental interests, independence and territorial
integrity, according to the Charter of the UN. It also stressed
that the "mutual assistance clause" of the WEU must be embedded
in the new treaty.
In another issue, the Greek minister asked for the exemption of
shipping from Article 113 of the Maastricht Treaty, which gives
the European Commission the right to negotiate commercial
agreements with states or with international organizations.
Mr. Papandreou made the request during the EU foreign ministers'
council, meeting in order to discuss the Intergovernmental
Conference.
The minister explained that the shipping sector is of particular
importance to Greece, given the size of Greek shipping.
[14] Tsohatzopoulos visit to Yugoslavia
Belgrade, 21/5/1997 (ANA/M. Mouratidis)
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos is scheduled to
begin a two-day working visit to Yugoslavia today at the
invitation of his counterpart Pavle Bulatovic.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos will today visit the Yugoslav army's
Institute of Technological Studies and tomorrow have talks with
Mr. Bulatovic, Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic and other
high-ranking government officials.
His talks are expected to focus on the peace process in former
Yugoslavia as well as peace and stability in the Balkans in
general.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos may also discuss bilateral co-operation in
the defense sector, particularly regarding training issues.
[15] Serbian PM meets with Greek ambassador to Belgrade
Belgrade, 21/5/1997 (ANA/M. Mouratidis)
Greece's ambassador to Belgrade, Panayiotis Vlassopoulos, met
Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Marianovic on Monday for talks on
issues concerning the development of economic relations between
the two countries and the promotion of overall relations between
Greece and Yugoslavia.
Mr. Vlassopoulos said Greek businessmen and Greek banks are
interested in participating in the implementation of many
important development programs in Serbia, particularly in the
infrastructure and transport sector.
On his part, Mr. Marianovic expressed satisfaction over the
development of Greek-Yugoslav co-operation in the spirit of
traditionally good relations between the two countries.
The Serbian prime minister briefed the Greek ambassador on his
government's program and activities in the economic sector and
particularly on reforms it has started, and which aim at
developing the economic system and strengthening the free market
economy.
[16] Karamanlis to travel to Sofia
Athens, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis
will visit Sofia on May 30 at the invitation of Bulgaria's Prime
Minister-designate Ivan Kostov, it was announced yesterday.
[17] Romanian president to visit Greece this week
Athens, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
Romanian President Emil Constantinescu is scheduled to begin an
official three-day visit to Greece on Thursday at the invitation
of his Greek counterpart, Kostis Stephanopoulos.
Mr. Constantinescu will have private talks with both
Stephanopoulos and Prime Minister Costas Simitis expected to
focus on bilateral relations and the situation in the Balkans.
Romania, which has traditionally close ties with Greece, has
requested and received support from Athens for its bid to join
the European Union and NATO.
Mr. Stephanopoulos visited Bucharest in November 1995 and
Simitis last March. Early this year, Romania's Foreign Minister
Adrian Severin visited Athens, while on April 24 National
Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos paid a visit to the
Romanian capital and had talks with Constantinescu.
[18] Gov't lauds calm holding of joint concert in Nicosia
Athens, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
The government yesterday expressed a hope that the aims of the
organizers of a joint concert by a Greek and a Turkish singer at
a stadium in Nicosia's buffer zone had been attained concerning
the need for rapprochement between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
"The concert was held in a civilized and calm atmosphere,"
government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said.
However, he condemned incidents which took place away from the
stadium, noting that "in free states, all activities must be
able to develop freely."
Police used tear gas to break up groups of young Greek Cypriots
in the free part of the Cypriot capital. The youths threw
firebombs to protest the concert by Greek and Turkish singers
Sakis Rouvas and Burat Kut, respectively.
The concert, organized under the auspices of the United Nations,
was held at the Taxim Stadium in the buffer zone, which has
divided the island republic since the 1974 Turkish invasion and
subsequent occupation of one third of Cyprus.
[19] Proportional representation system rejected by PASOK, ND
Athens, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
Parliament yesterday rejected a proposal by the Communist Party
of Greece (KKE) for the implementation of proportional
representation as Greece's electoral system.
The proposal was rejected both by the ruling PASOK party and by
the main opposition New Democracy party.
The motion was supported, however, by deputies of the Coalition
of the Left and Progress party (Synaspismos) and of the
Democratic Social Movement, as well as by one PASOK deputy,
Georgios Katsibardis, who criticized the government for
rejecting it.
During his speech, Interior Minister Alekos Papadopoulos said
the electoral law will be discussed within the framework of
reviewing the Constitution, although he reiterated that the
government will not be concerned with changing the electoral
system.
[20] Balkan chambers meet in Athens to focus on further co-operation
Athens, 21/5/1995 (ANA)
The first results of Greece's initiative to attract foreign
capital to finance infrastructure projects in Balkan countries
will be apparent within the year, National Economy and Finance
Minister Yiannos Papantoniou told representatives of several
Balkan chambers of commerce yesterday.
Greece has been in the forefront of efforts to rally the
European Union, United States and international economic
organizations in order to support major foreign investment in
infrastructure throughout the Balkan region.
Mr. Papantoniou was speaking to the general assembly of the
Union of Balkan Chambers of Commerce.
Chamber representatives from Albania, Romania, Yugoslavia,
Cyprus, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM),
Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece are participating.
"Greece, with its comparative advantage of membership in the EU
and other international organizations as well as its stable
economy," Mr. Papantoniou said, "can contribute decisively to
the general development of the Balkans."
The activity of many Greek firms in Balkan countries has been
significant in assisting those economies to move to free market
economies, he said.
Although economic relations between Balkan states over the past
few years have developed dramatically, there were still
substantial margins for further co-operation in a variety of
sectors, the minister said.
He pointed to the activity of the banking sector which, with the
establishment of new branches as well as the operation of the
Black Sea Co-operation and Development Bank in Thessaloniki,
could substantially contribute to further co-operation.
Mr. Papantoniou said Greece fully supported the efforts of
Balkan countries to participate in the process of European
unification and their applications for inclusion in next phase
of enlargement of the European Union after 2000.
The presidents of the Balkan chambers of commerce expressed
satisfaction at their meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis
and Athens' initiatives for the development of the broader
Balkan region, during a joint press conference yesterday.
The president of Albania's Industrial and Commerce Chambers
Union, Mehmet Shijaku, referred to Greece's significant aid to
his country and to the Greek government's positive attitude
during the recent Albanian crisis.
The deputy president of the Bulgarian Industry and Commerce
Chamber, Ivan Minev, stressed the importance of Balkan
development plans for improvement of Bulgaria's economic
improvement.
"Greece's position for close economic cooperation and support of
business activities in Bulgaria is very important," he said.
The president of Yugoslavia's Industry and Commerce Chamber,
Michailo Milosevic, stressed the positive contribution of the
press in the direction of closer co-operation in the Balkan
countries, while the president of the Cypriot Commerce and
Industry Chamber, Vassilis Rologis, said Cyprus desired to play
a leading role in the field of investment in the Balkans prior
to its accession to the European Union.
The president of FYROM's Economic Chamber, Dusan Petreski, said
Balkan chambers were expected to further contribute to
inter-Balkan co-operation, while Romanian Commerce and Industry
Chamber's president George Cojocaru said it was important to
develop relations among the Balkan peoples.
Mr. Cojocaru also referred to the positive relations between
Romania and Greece.
Ankara' Commerce Chamber president Niyazi Akdas said Turkey,
with a population expected to exceed 100 million people by the
year 2010, was an important market and, therefore, its
co-operation with the remaining Balkan states should be deemed
"substantive ."
Turkey's business community, Mr. Akdas said, "praises efforts on
the part of Athens to improve Greek-Turkish relations," adding
that "Greece may contribute significantly to the development of
the broader region."
The sessions of the general assembly were expected to end in the
afternoon following discussion on co-operation in the banking
sector, insurance of trade transactions, and issues related to
the Community-backed PHARE program.
[21] Summer store hours announced
Athens, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
The system of varied working hours will be implemented again in
the Attica prefecture this year from June 2 to Sept. 30.
A meeting chaired by Environment, Town Planning and Public Works
Minister Costas Laliotis with corresponding agencies at the
environment ministry yesterday reached an agreement that
individuals employed by public and local government
organizations will s tart work at 7 a.m., while bank and
insurance company employees at 7:45 a.m.
Stores, supermarkets and department stores will open at 9 a.m.
The measure, aimed at combating air pollution and traffic
problems, also anticipates a ban on supplying outlets in
downtown Athens from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6
p.m.
The restricted traffic zone will be in force throughout the
summer with the exception of the period from Aug. 1-20.
Mr. Laliotis proposed to the agencies to discuss the possible
expansion of the varied working hours system throughout the
entire year. Decisions will be taken on the issue at a later
date.
[22] Inflation below 5.0 percent by end-1997, Papantoniou says
Athens, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
Greece's inflation rate will be below 5.0 percent by the end of
the year and will range between 2.5-3.0 percent by the end of
1998, National Economy and Finance Minister Yannos Papantoniou
told Parliament yesterday.
Speaking during Monday night's parliamentary debate on the
economy, which lasted into the early hours of yesterday morning,
Mr. Papantoniou was confident that Greece would be able to
participate in economic and monetary union and the single
currency by 2001. "In 2001, the drachma will have been abolished
and replaced by the Euro and the country will be fully
participating in EMU (European economic and monetary union)," he
said. Greece's inclusion in EMU, which will ensure increased
national security, w ill also allow a decrease in defense
spending, he added. Mr. Papantoniou was critical of the policies
of previous governments - both ruling PASOK and opposition New
Democracy -saying that they had failed the economy because of
the importance they placed on the "political cost".
"That is no longer the case," he said.
'Social dialogue' between the government, unions and employers,
designed to carve out consensus on changes to the job market
and, later, to the social security and pensions system must go
ahead. "It would be a crime for us to proceed without exhausting
the limits of dialogue," Mr. Papantoniou said. "We (the
government) do not believe in the logic of 'we decide and we
execute': We cannot go against the will of the people, but we
must show greater courage and decisiveness".
Athens, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
Mr. Papantoniou said the government would go ahead with the
abolition and merger of dozens of public organizations and
businesses (DEKOs) over the summer, saying the government would
not shirk from its attempts to contain the public sector, which
had become "a sluggish monster". Mr. Papantoniou said he had no
qualms about paying private sector managers well to manage
DEKOs. The government has previously announced that it would
recruit career business managers to handle chronically ailing
DEKOs. Turning to specifics, Mr. Papantoniou said DEH, Greece's
state electricity supplier, had to have "its monopoly broken"
and that private investment had to enter the scene, to force
down the cost of electrical power.
[24] Cleanest waters found in Greece, Commission report states
Brussels, 21/5/1997 (ANA/G. Daratos)
Greece has the cleanest shores for bathing among all European
Union member-states, according to the latest European Commission
report on the condition of Community coastlines and beaches.
According to a report's findings, Greece got an outstanding 99.9
per cent "clean bill" from measurements carried out at a total
of 1,690 beaches and stretches of coastline.
In contrast to the tiny 0.1 per cent of Greek beaches which
failed to comply with EU cleanliness specifications, the
corresponding percentages for other member-states such as
Britain (46.8 per cent), France (24.6 per cent), Spain (18.8 per
cent) and Belgium (33.3 per cent) were extremely high.
The European Commission said its report on water quality covered
a total of 13,000 coastal expanses and beaches and 6,000 bathing
areas in (fresh water) rivers and lakes.
[25] Mykonos launches new runway
Athens, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
The island of Mykonos, Greece's most famous tourist resort, has
upgraded its airport facilities by introducing a new runway.
According to a statement by the Greek Civil Aviation Authority,
the new runway has a length of 2,020 meters and a lighting
system capable to service night flights. The new runway can be
used by medium-sized aircraft, such as Boeing 737s, Airbus 320s
and MD-80s.
[26] New credits for infrastructure projects
Athens, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
The Greek government has approved credits totaling 640 million
drachmas to carry out infrastructure projects around the
country. The works are as follows: - Road-building in the Limnos
prefecture (254 million drachmas) - Construction of a new
section of the Arta-Karditsa highway (127 million drachmas) -
Road improvements in the Hios prefecture (100 million drachmas)
- Reconstruction of drainage ditches in the Corinthia prefecture
following flood damage (100 million drachmas) - Repairs around
Itea port (30 million drachmas) - Construction work on Delvinaki
heliport in the Ioannina prefecture (15 million drachmas) -
Construction work on Konitsa heliport in the Ioannina prefecture
(14 million drachmas).
[27] Mitsotakis-Iacovos meeting
Athens, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
New Democracy honorary president and former premier Constantine
Mitsotakis met yesterday morning in Athens with the former
Archbishop of North and South America Iacovos.
The meeting focused on the latest developments on Greece's
national issues, while both men concluded that they shared the
same views, Mr. Mitsotakis said.
Commenting on the government's policy, the former premier said
it was "reluctant and not clear."
"(The government) does not have the courage to say what it
pursues and what it believes," he said.
Mr. Mitsotakis added, however, that the government's policy was
"on the right path."
"We've got to help," he said, "those issues which relate to
Hellenism, especially the Cyprus issue, which I think will enter
a difficult stage next year."
Iacovos said Mr. Mitsotakis constituted hope and guarantee for
Greece's political life.
[28] Karamanlis meets with Serapheim
Athens, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis met
yesterday with Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Serapheim.
Mr. Karamanlis said he visited the ecclesiastical leader to pay
his respects and express conviction that faith and values should
be reinforced during "these difficult times."
The ND president said religion could play a leading and active
part in the Balkans.
[29] Int'l sports media events in Olympia
Athens, 21/5/1997 (ANA)
An international conference entitled "The Atlanta Olympic Games
and Mass Media" is currently being held in ancient Olympia,
organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with the
participation of 53 countries.
In another event, a nation-wide conference of sports writers,
dedicated to track and field due to cover the upcoming IAAF
World Championships, is also to be held at the site.
End of English language section.
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